Textile industry: Industrialists seek fair distribution of gas

Welcome supply of 40mmcfd from new gas field.

FAISALABAD: While welcoming an additional supply of 40 million cubic feet of gas per day from the newly discovered Latif field, industrialists of the city have sought judicious distribution of the energy source among industries across the country.

All Pakistan Textile Processing Mills Association Regional Chairman Rizwan Ashraf, in a statement, said Pakistan had been struggling to cope with energy crisis for the last many years and conditions had worsened with a widening gap between demand and supply of electricity and gas.

He expressed satisfaction over the discovery of the new gas field, which was scheduled to start supplying 40mmcfd from Tuesday, and hoped it would help the country tackle the energy crisis.



“The federal minister for petroleum should formulate a new strategy for fair and judicious distribution of new gas finds across the country,” he said.

He suggested that increase in gas quota of Punjab, especially of Faisalabad, would help industries come out of the prolonged crisis and play their role in stabilising the economy. “Gas is a precious national asset and should be distributed in accordance with industrial needs of all provinces,” he said.

Industrialists argue that Punjab is a major consumer of gas as most of the value added textile processing industry is located in the province. This sector is contributing substantially to national economy with the help of hefty exports besides providing much-needed jobs to unemployed youth, they say.

Industrial activities were at the lowest ebb because of acute gas shortage and Ashraf praised the PML-N government for making serious efforts to address energy shortages and restore productive activities.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11^th,  2013.

Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.